What Is REACH?
REACH conformity analysis is not a single test, but an analysis package determined according to the scope of the product. In textile products, topics such as azo dyes, phthalates, heavy metals, formaldehyde, nonylphenol ethoxylates, chlorinated phenols, short-chain chlorinated paraffins and PFAS are typically addressed. In addition, it is evaluated whether the substances on the SVHC candidate list exceed 0.1% by mass in the product.
Purpose of REACH
The aim is to show whether the product complies with REACH Annex XVII restrictions in order to be placed on the European Union market and whether an SVHC notification obligation arises.
Which Products Is REACH Applied To?
- Ready-made clothing and home textiles
- Leather and shoe products
- Children's and baby textiles
- Accessories and bags
- Technical textiles
In Which Sectors Is REACH Used?
Standards Related to REACH
- TS EN ISO 14362-1/-3 (azo boyalar)
- TS EN ISO 14184-1 (formaldehit)
- TS EN 16711-2 (ekstrakte edilebilir metaller)
- TS EN ISO 14389 (ftalatlar)
- TS EN ISO 18254-1 (alkilfenol etoksilatlar)
- TS EN ISO 17070 (klorlu fenoller)
REACH Conditions
- Scope
- The analysis list is determined by product type, skin contact and buyer specifications
- SVHC threshold
- 0.1% by mass of the goods — the level at which the obligation to notify and provide information arises
- Sample separation
- Each component and each color is evaluated separately
Equipment for REACH
- GC-MS
- LC-MS/MS
- ICP-OES / ICP-MS
- UV/Vis spectrophotometer
- Sample preparation systems
Sample Requirements for REACH
- Samples of each component of the product (fabric, lining, print, accessories)
- A separate specimen for each colour
- Ingredient weights must be reported — SVHC threshold evaluated on an item-by-item basis
- Sample quantity is determined according to the analysis list
Duration of REACH
The duration depends on the number of analyzes in the package and is significantly longer than for a single title. The scope is listed at the proposal stage and the schedule is given accordingly.
REACH Procedure
- 1The product is broken down into its components and each component is identified.
- 2Skin contact status and user group are determined.
- 3The Annex XVII substances to be applied and the analysis list are prepared.
- 4For each title, analysis is performed using the relevant standard method.
- 5The results are compared with the applicable limit values.
- 6Threshold evaluation is performed for SVHC candidate list substances.
REACH Acceptance Criteria
The acceptance criterion is the limit defined for each substance in Annex XVII. On the SVHC side, there is a notification obligation, not a limit: an SVHC exceeding 0.1% by mass in the article does not mean that the product is prohibited, but it creates an obligation to inform the supply chain and notify the SCIP.
Evaluation of Results
Results are evaluated on an item-by-item basis. Since the candidate list is updated twice a year, a report received on one date does not include subsequent updates; It is written according to which list version the report was evaluated.
REACH Report
- Product and ingredient descriptions
- List of applied Annex XVII substances and analysis
- Result, detection limit and compared limit for each substance
- SVHC assessment and candidate list version/date used
Accreditation
EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.
Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Regulations
- (EC) 1907/2006 REACH Annex XVII
- REACH Article 33 (providing information on substances in articles)
- POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021
Tekstil Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the REACH test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Textile testing answers two questions separately: does the fabric hold up physically over its service life, and does it carry any substance restricted for human health? These two axes require different laboratory infrastructure and different decision mechanisms.
On the physical side, breaking and tear strength, abrasion resistance, pilling, dimensional change, colour fastness and water and oil repellency are measured. Most of these tests depend on the USE SCENARIO: Martindale abrasion cycles are decisive for an upholstery fabric, while dimensional change in washing and colour fastness come to the fore for a shirting fabric. The same fabric goes through a different test set for a different use.
Colour fastness is a body of work of its own in this field and is not a single test. The fastness of the same fabric to light, washing, rubbing, perspiration, saliva, chlorinated water and ironing is measured separately; each represents a different moment of use. Results are rated from 1 to 5 on the grey scale and the specification gives a separate minimum rating for each agent.
On the chemical side, aromatic amines released from azo dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals, phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, alkylphenols and PFAS compounds are screened. These items come from REACH restrictions, brand restricted substance lists (RSL) and voluntary schemes such as OEKO-TEX. Brand lists are often stricter than legislation; the target customer is decisive.
There is NO CE marking on consumer textiles. The obligation has three legs: fibre composition and care labelling, compliance with chemical restrictions, and general product safety. Textiles claiming a protective function (workwear, flame-resistant clothing, high-visibility clothing) fall under personal protective equipment legislation, where CE is mandatory — this distinction is commercially critical.
Verifying the label declaration is the most routine work in the field. Quantitative fibre analysis confirms the blend ratio stated on the label; tolerance ranges are defined in legislation. An incorrect fibre declaration both misleads the consumer and affects customs classification.
Sustainability claims have added a new body of work to the field in recent years: verification of recycled content (GRS, RCS), organic content (GOTS), restriction of harmful chemicals and water/energy footprint declarations. These claims now require auditable evidence.
Method groups in this field
Strength and durability
Strip and grab breaking strength, tearing by the Elmendorf and tongue methods, seam strength, bursting strength.
Abrasion and surface
Martindale and rotary platform abrasion, pilling and fuzzing, fabric mass and thread density measurements.
Dimensional stability
Dimensional change in washing and drying, wrinkling behaviour, appearance after ironing.
Colour fastness
Fastness to light (xenon), washing, rubbing, perspiration, saliva, water and chlorinated water; rating on the grey scale.
Functional properties
Water repellency (spray test), oil repellency, waterproofness, air permeability, effectiveness of antibacterial finishes, UV protection factor.
Chemical analyses
Aromatic amines from azo dyes, formaldehyde, pH, heavy metals, phthalates, chlorinated phenols, PFAS and alkylphenols.
Commonly confused in this field
- A brand restricted substance list (RSL) may be stricter than legislation; REACH compliance does not mean compliance with the customer specification.
- Textiles claiming a protective function fall under PPE legislation and require CE; an ordinary textile test report does not satisfy that file.
- Colour fastness is not a single number; a rating cannot be interpreted without stating which agent it relates to.
- A result obtained for a fabric does not cover the whole garment made from it; lining, sewing thread, print and trims are assessed separately.
- Performance claims after washing are valid together with the stated number of wash cycles; the word "permanent" on its own is not verifiable.
Which decisions these results support
- Compliance with the brand restricted substance list (RSL)
- Verification of label declarations: fibre composition and care instructions
- Determining the performance class of upholstery and technical textiles
- Pre-import shipment inspection and lot acceptance
- Supporting sustainability and recycled content claims
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About REACH
Bir kere REACH raporu alsam yeterli mi?
It is not enough. The SVHC candidate list is regularly expanded and Annex XVII restrictions are updated. Additionally, the report represents the sample tested; Re-evaluation is required when raw materials, dyes or suppliers change.
Does the presence of SVHC ban the product?
No. If a substance on the SVHC candidate list exceeds 0.1% by mass in the article, it is not prohibited, but an obligation to provide information and SCIP notification arises. Annex XVII restrictions are directly prohibitive; The two should not be confused.
Who determines the scope?
Product type, skin contact status, user group and buyer specification determine it together. The list is widest in baby products. At the proposal stage, the analysis list is written pencil by pencil.